A simple device allowing silicon microelectrode insertion for chronic neural recording in primates

Micro-machined silicon microelectrodes are useful for obtaining high-density, high-spatial resolution sampling of neuronal activity within the brain, and hold promise for revealing the spatiotemporal dynamics of local circuits. However, the fragile nature of silicon electrodes precludes their application in chronic recordings for a long period of time in which electrodes are repeatedly passed through the hardened dura matter. Here, we describe a newly developed holder designed to make a micro-perforation through the dura matter in which a silicon electrode can easily be inserted.